> an experienced dev honestly take to learn a mid-level amount about e.g. Kubernetes or Go or Rust? at least months and months of common usage, not something that is comparable with someone who already knows stuff and can get cracking on day one

I'm not sure how this is relevant? You seem to be trying to make a point about hiring people with specific skills vs candidates with proven ability in the field, broadly speaking, before committing an apparent non-sequitur in which someone (it's not clear who) is "pretending that the internet is a replacement for education". Do you often interview candidates who learned K8s (or Rust!) as part of their education? I assume (given your apparent strong feelings on the issue) that you have some familiarity with CS curricula, but perhaps not.

As a related issue, you're certainly sending a strong signal to the candidates you're hoping to attract, judging by your profile. Whether it's a positive one is left as an exercise for the reader.